About This PhD Project

Project Description

Plants are attacked both by insects and pathogenic fungi, often at the same time, yet these are often studied by different specialists. Previous work has shown that the interactiosn between the plant consumers in a number of systems are important in driving the effects on the plants, yet the knock-on effects on the wider community have been less studied. This project will attempt to quantify these effects either (depending on the student’s preference) in semi-natural grassland or an arable crop/horticultural situation. This project will involve both field and laboratory work, and could involve some molecular analysis shoudl funding be available.